V 


UC-NRLF 


SB    573    Ell 


Vox  HUMANA 


BY  LOUISE  MARNY 

SANTA  BARBARA,  CALIFORNIA 


GIFT  OF 


•••(•• 


.         \ 


VOX  HUMANA 

BY 

LOUISE  MARNY 


SANTA  BARBARA 
CALIFORNIA 


COPYRIGHT  1920 

BY 

LOUISE  MARNY  MULLER 


Love  is  not  but  a  summer 's  day 

Of  calm  and  sunny  pleasure ; 
Not  like  a  rose  does  it  fade  away, 

When  it  has  breathed  its  treasure. 

But  rather  like  a  steadfast  star, 

Fixed  in  eternal  spaces, 
It  sheds  its  radiance  near  and  far 

And  draws  us  through  all  earth's  mazes. 


4210S9 


WE  YEARN  FOE  JOY 

We  yearn  for  joy, 

Yet  joy  is  here. 
We  yearn  for  love, 

Yet  love,  so  dear, 
Is  you  and  I. 

Lowly  we  stand, 

Beggars  drear, 
Outside  the  promised  land ; 

So  far,  so  near. 
You  and  I. 

Till  hands  we  clasp 

And  love  unite ; 
And  dare  at  last 

In  joy  abide. 
You  and  I. 


SONG 

Deep  in  my  innermost  heart  and  soul 
Stirs  a  breath  of  sheer  delight, 

Like  a  winged  thing  with  heavenly  goal, 
It  soars — and  I'm  the  tail  of  the  kite. 

Oh,  it  is  surely  within  me,  this  song, 
And,  oh,  mine  own  it  is  quite ; 

Born  in  the  rush  of  a  warbling  throng, 
It  soars — and  I'm  the  tail  of  the  kite. 

Go,  then,  and  play  in  the  spaces  blue 
With  other  dear  children  of  light ! 

For,  in  all  of  life  you  alone  are  true — 
And  I'm  but  the  tail  of  the  kite. 


ON  THE  WING  OF  MY  DESIEE 

On  the  wing  of  my  desire 

I  have  flown  afar, 
Over  mountain  top  and  spire, 

Drawn  by  a  distant  star. 

Soaring  breathlessly 

To  dizzy  height ; 
Counting  neither  strength  nor  distance, 

For  the  flight  seemed  right. 

And  now,  midway  between  earth  and  heaven 

I  hang  trembling  in  the  blue — 
Silence  reigns  below  where  men  are, 
Silent  is  my  star. 


THE  GOLD  STAES  ABE  FADING 

The  gold  stars  are  fading, 

The  day  is  at  dawn, 
And  joy  is  invading 

My  heart,  to  you  drawn. 

Like  bright  stars  beguiling 
The  bleak  midnight  sky, 

Your  phantom  lips  smiling 
Sing  woe 's  lullaby. 

And  vainly  they're  making 
Your  absence  so  long — 

In  love  ever  waking, 
My  heart  hears  your  song. 


SUNNY  SQUAKES 

Sunny  squares  lie  on  the  floor, 
Mirrored  by  the  window  pane, 
Or  entering  through  the  door. 

Daily  they  stay  there  by  me, 
Seeking  neither  praise  nor  gain, 
Like  a  familiar  melody. 

Or,  like  an  unobtrusive  friend, 
Who  long  a  habit  became, 
Accepted,  proved  and  content. 

Ah,  me !  what  of  the  rainy  day, 
The  day  when  the  heart  is  in  pain- 
Will  love  then  also  gainsay? 


ON  THE  WING 

No,  I'll  not  fail  you,  lone  one. 

For  a  love  so  tender,  sweet, 
Is  the  only  prize  I  want, 

Is  the  daily  thing  I  need. 
How  could  I  fail  you,  lone  one? 

You  who  have  learned  to  meet 
My  soaring  heart  on  the  wing, 

You  are  my  lover,  indeed. 


THE  SILENT  STAES 

The  silent  stars  are  roaming 

The  vast  sweeps  of  the  sky ; 
Myriads  of  distant  strangers,  they  pass 

Like  you  and  I. 

Perhaps  there  are  lovers  among  the  stars ! 

True  lovers  are  shy — 
And  because  they  love  so,  stay  remote, 

Like  you  and  I. 


LULLABY 


My  heart  is  but  a  nest  of  song, 

For  love  is  brooding  there ; 
And  the  nestlings'  voices  all  day  long 

Warble  away  my  care. 

Oh,  little  voices,  who  breathe  of  bliss, 
How  radiant  you  make  the  air ! 

You've  taught  me  now  what  heaven  is, 
Oh,  teach  me  also  my  joy  to  bear ! 

But  soon  you  will  flutter  on  tender  wing 
Into  the  world,  wide  and  fair, 

And  then  my  heart  itself  must  sing : 
The  nest  must  live  and  dare. 


10 
OH,  FOR  A  SWEET  LITTLE  SONG! 

Oh,  for  a  sweet  little  song  each  day ! 

When  the  world  seems  tired  and  stale, 
When  the  people  grow  old  in  sheer  dismay 

And  the  thread  of  their  hope  grows  frail. 

Do  sing  in  our  hearts,  you  God  of  Love, 
Come,  deliver  us  from  our  woe ! 

Answer !  we  have  had  sorrows  enough, 
And  your  silence  does  hurt  us  so ! 

Oh,  for  a  sweet  little  song  in  the  night ! 

When  the  heart  in  anguish  wakes ; 
For  a  love-call  to  answer  in  deep  delight, 

For  a  day  star — ere  the  morning  breaks! 


n. 

11 

TO  A  CHILD 

Like  a  flower  flown  from  its  stem, 
You  flutter  by  with  a  smile ; 

Now  floating  airily, 

Now  tripping  warily : 
"You  may  chase  me  for  a  while, 
But  pray,  don't  pick  me  again!" 

Like  starlight  twinkle  your  merry  eyes, 

So  loving  and  yet  so  cool; 
And  thoughts  play  hide  and  seek  in  them, 

Like  goldfish  in  a  pool. 
Your  innocence  deep  wisdom  is, 
Sweet  faith  your  power  divine. 


12 
TO  MOTHER 

My  lover  has  left  me,  mother  dear ; 

Left  me,  again  and  again. 
But  he  kissed  me,  ere  he  left,  dear, 

So  he'll  come  again  and  again. 

As  the  bird  coos  with  his  mate,  dear, 

So  speaks  my  lover  with  me, 
And  then  he  leaves  as  the  bird  takes  his  flight 

To  come  again  and  again. 

Some  day  he'll  bid  me  come,  dear, 
To  fly  with  him  over  the  main, 

But  first  he  must  come  back,  dear, 
Come  back  again  and  again. 


13 
FEIENDSHIP 

Thank  me  not,  sweet  friend  I 
How  could  I  do  less  but  love  you 

And  cherish  you  to  the  end? 
You,  who  are  life's  dear  bloom! 

Could  I  do  aught  but  render 
What  love  has  given  me? 

And  to  you,  immortal  spender, 
Give  your  own,  joyfully  I 


14 
TO  THE  BIRDMAN 


In  the  rushing  flight  of  the  bird 

You  have  joined  unafraid; 
Jubilantly  flown  from  the  herd, 

In  heaven  your  eyes  have  strayed. 

Oh,  winged  man,  how  you  do 
Lift  heart  and  courage  skyward. 

With  the  wing  of  the  bird  you  flew 
And  with  your  vision  we  push  onward. 

But  birdman,  have  you  no  lute? 

What  of  the  joy  you  have  known? 
Will  now  your  lips  stay  mute, 

Since  through  the  spaces  you've  flown? 

Come,  sing  us  the  songs  of  the  blue, 
From  the  lilting  rippling  merry  lay 

Eise,  oh  winged  man,  anew, 

To  the  mighty  love  song  of  our  day. 


15 
THE  BEGGAR 

I  saw  him  begging  for  a  little  love, 

Even  as  we  all  beg  at  some  heart's  door, 

For  love,  or  pity? 

Nay,  its  love  he  wanted, 

And  she  flung  him  from  her  over  and  over. 

She  ran  abreast  with  merriment, 
Straight  into  life's  depth — 
And  perished  there,  still  scorning  him — 
For  he  was  but  a  beggar 
And  knew  not  how  to  win. 


16 
THE  WOMAN 

I  am  only  a  woman  and  my  deeds  are  few, 

Yet,  my  heart  is  so  vast — if  you  but  knew — 

In  it  are  stored  all  the  ages  past 

And  the  germs  of  the  worlds,  which  did  not  last ; 

The  kings'  highway,  where  the  proud  went  by 

And  the  desert,  where  men's  bones  do  dry, 

And  felines,  prowling  for  their  prey, 

And  dark  forebodings,  which  tongue  can't  say. 

I  am  only  a  woman  and  my  deeds  are  few, 

Yet,  my  heart  is  so  vast — if  you  but  knew — 

In  it  are  stored  all  the  ages  past 

And  the  dark  deeds  of  men,  which  cannot  last. 

I  know  them  all  and  I  know  them  well, 

And  through  them  I've  grown  past  heaven  and 

hell. 

But  I  veil  my  knowledge — as  I  veil  my  face — 
And  smile  upon  you  with  fateful  grace. 
I  am  the  hunter,  you  are  the  game ; 
But  I  am  the  wild  thing  and  you  are  tame. 


I  am  the  fire,  that  burns  in  your  breast; 
Of  your  feverish  dream  I  am  the  guest. 
I  am  your  hope  in  the  race  to  come ; 
Give  me  my  way  and  I'll  leave  you  some! 
I  am  a  scourge,  that  lives  on  blood, 
And  seek  those  first,  whose  heart  is  good. 
Life's  portal  am  I  to  the  young, 
I  am  your  funeral  dirge  unsung. 

I  am  only  a  woman  and  my  deeds  are  few ; 
Yet,  my  heart  is  so  vast — if  you  but  knew ! 
In  it  are  stored  all  the  ages  past, 
And  the  ties  of  the  world,  which  did  not  last. 
But  let  love  touch  me  with  its  secret  springs 
And  goodness  unfolds  me  with  angels'  wings. 
Forgotten  the  past  and  the  scores  to  pay; 
I  am  conscious  only  of  love?s  sweet  way. 
The  desert's  abloom  and  gay  with  springs, 
The  air  mysterious  with  flying  things ; 
The  birds  are  setting  the  dawn  athrill, 
My  heart  is  a  garden,  sunny  and  still. 


I  am  only  a  woman  and  my  deeds  are  few, 
Yet,  my  heart  is  so  vast — if  you  but  knew ! 
I  love  you  because  you  are  big  and  strong ; 
I  love  you  whether  you're  right  or  wrong. 
You  are  my  joy  and  you  are  my  pride ! 
Not  for  a  kingdom  would  I  leave  your  side. 
But  when  you're  ill  and  poor,  I  love  you  best ; 
In  deepest  devotion,  most  deeply  blessed. 
I  love  you  so,  because  love  I  must, 
Through  and  beyond  this  earthly  dust. 

I  am  only  a  woman  and  my  deeds  are  few, 
Yet,  my  heart  is  so  vast — if  you  but  knew ! 
In  it  are  stored  all  the  loves  of  the  past, 
But  my  love  for  you  showed  me  God  at  last. 


17 
ECHO 


Yes,  I  am  calling  you,  Holy  One, 
I  am  calling — I  want  to  go  home — 

Over  rocky  roads,  through  the  world  aflame, 
I  will  come,  I  will  come,  I  will  come ! 

But  no,  it  is  you  who  are  calling  to  me — 

My  voice  but  your  echo  faint ; 
My  longing  is  your  divine  decree, 

My  sorrow  your  love's  complaint. 

Oh,  weary  road  through  the  wilderness, 
How  vain  your  roughness,  your  merciless  sun. 

Love  is  our  way — and  in  tenderness 

God  has  come,  He  has  come,  He  has  come ! 


18 
JUST  FOE  FUN 


Never  mind  the  daily  bothers, 

Life  has  but  begun ; 
Let  them  daunt  and  worry  others, 

Win  out  just  for  fun ! 

Never  mind  the  fast-closed  portals, 

"Work  has  but  begun  ; 
It's  the  sesame  of  mortals, 

"Win  out  just  for  fun ! 

Never  mind  the  failing  pleasures, 

Love  has  but  begun ; 
Give  it  out  in  heaping  measures, 

Win  out  just  for  fun ! 


19 
DETERMINATION 

Try  not  to  taunt  me,  fear, 

I  will  have  none  of  thee. 
Life  is  ever  dear 

And  sweet  to  me. 
I  will  cling  to  my  dream 

Of  love  and  sympathy, 
Until  fond  things  that  seem 

Are  made  to  be. 


20 
VOLPLANING 

Come,  let's  you  and  I  be  happy, 

Fellow  man ; 
While  the  days  are  full  and  snappy, 

Work  and  plan 
To  ascend  on  our  best  knowing, 

Span  for  span. 
Eeap  in  full  our  ample  sowing, 

For  we  can 
Seek  our  level  'mongst  the  stars, 

Fellow  man, 
Forge  ahead,  leap  o  'er  the  bars 

In  the  van. 
Walk  the  waves  of  men's  dissension, 

Watch  and  scan, 
And  expand  to  full  dimension, 

Fellow  man. 


21 
THE  USELESS  WARNING 

Merrily  the  drops  are  falling 
In  the  regions  of  the  sky ; 

And  the  little  bugs  are  crawling 
To  their  shelter,  far  and  nigh. 

I  alone  am  out  to  weather 

Eain  and  sleet  and  dreary  storm, 
And  I'm  wishing  all  together 

For  a  life  in  different  form. 

No,  I  see  two  lovers  drifting 
Ignorantly  toward  the  lake ! 

Do  they  think  the  clouds  are  lifting? 
And  the  sun's  about  to  break? 

Though  most  things  occur  in  season, 
Lovers  happen  unawares ; 

Come  and  go,  devoid  of  reason, 
Blithely  stumbling  into  snares. 

Their  indifference  is  appalling 
To  one  as  timely  as  a  clock ; 

The  barometer  is  falling 
And  I  am  the  weather-cock. 


III. 

22 
THE  ISLAND 

Lonely  one,  lovely  one, 

How  dare  you  dwell  so  serene, 

Midst  rushing,  roaring  waters, 

Above  chasms  where  strength  slaughters 

The  weaker  one  and  the  little  one? 

Who  holds  you  fast  between 

The  shifting  sky  and  the  moving  sea? 

Lonely  one,  lovely  one, 

How  dare  you  dwell  so  serene  ? 

Never  refuse  your  flower-wreathed  breast 

To  the  hungry  waters '  furtive  quest  ? 

Whence  is  your  wealth  unseen? 

Will  you  evermore  spend  your  loveliness, 

Lonely  one  in  the  sea? 

Lonely  one,  lovely  one, 

How  dare  you  dwell  so  serene, 

While  gently  waving  your  welcome 

With  garlands  green  to  me — 

When  my  heart's  a- thrill  with  your  mystery 

And  my  hungry  eyes  are  roving  and  keen? 

Do  you  know  love,  alone  in  the  sea  ? 


23 
NOCTURNE 


The  evening  fell, 
The  sea  looked  cold, 

With  furious  spell 
The  winds  made  bold. 

The  fowls  screeched, 
The  sea  appalled, 

Lashed  the  grey  beach, 
By  fear  enthralled. 

And  lo !  a  bird, 

Dragging  his  wing, 
Before  me  stirred, 

Mute  in  the  din. 

The  evening  fell, 
The  sea  looked  cold, 

With  furious  spell 
The  winds  made  bold. 


My  hand  outstretched, 
I  beckoned  him, 

Poor  little  wretch 
With  broken  wing. 

In  dread  of  me 
He  reeled  around, 

His  aching  body 

Dragged  the  ground. 

How  could  he  know 
That  I  meant  well? 

The  gale  swept  low, 
The  evening  fell. 

Away  he  strained, 

Till  I,  in  pity, 
Had  refrained 

From  helping  him. 


24 
MESSENGEES? 

Pinioned  wanderers  of  the  blue, 
Whither  are  you  wending? 

Soaring  blithely  through 
Spaces  deep,  unending? 

Twittering  all  the  merry  way, 
While  frail  wings  are  plying. 

And  we  bear  our  wistful  day, 
Struggling,  longing,  sighing: 

For  a  bird's  own  winged  heart, 
For  a  bird-throat — singing — 

Strength  to  leave  the  human  mart, 
Upward,  upward  winging. 


25 
NOETHEEN  AUTUMN 

Eed  and  golden  glory 
Shines  across  the  lake. 

Flaunting  autumn  story, 
Winter's  in  your  wake. 

Anxious  premonition, 
Beloved,  somber  sight, 

Lurid  admonition, 

Death-tale,  are  you  right  ? 

Do  we  flaunt  life's  banners, 
Act  our  roundelay — 

Like  foolish  caravaners — 
Are  we  time's  prey? 

Or,  are  we  life's  promise, 
A  love  song,  not  yet  sung? 

With  wells  of  joy  within  us, 
Hearts  ever  young? 


26 
THEY  MUEMUE  AND  BREATHE  OF  LOVE 


Night  has  kissed  the  lone  island ; 

With  darkness  she  clasps  it  about : 
"Mute  shall  you  be  and  silent!" 

And  she  spreads  her  dusky  shroud. 

But  vaguely  the  winds  are  stirring, 

Gently  the  wavelets  lap ; 
And  fearless  wings  are  whirring, 

In  tall  trees  whispers  the  sap. 

They  feel  not  the  night's  dull  creeping, 
Their  faces  gaze  ever  above; 

While  we  in  oblivion  are  sleeping, 
They  murmer  and  breathe  of  love. 


27 
BUTTERFLIES 

Dainty  whisp  of  fancy, 

Blue-winged  butterfly ; 
Like  a  heavenly  pansy, 

Fluttering  from  the  sky. 

Blue-f  rocked,  sweet-lipped  Nancy- 
Heaven-born  butterfly — 

Is  it  hard  to  fancy 
Life  just  you  and  I? 


28 
SWEET  PEAS 


Merrily  your  tendrils  spin 
Spring-tales  'round  my  bowl ; 

And  with  tender  hands  do  cling 
To  the  artist's  scroll. 

And  your  faces  gaze  about, 
Childlike  in  their  wonder ; 

Cheek  to  cheek  a  rosy  cloud, 
On  my  table  yonder. 

Bound  about  you  all  did  fade 
In  oblivion,  when  you  came, 

Casts  and  bronze  and  paint  and  jade, 
With  the  artist 's  fame. 

And  your  sweet  and  fragrant  soul 

Evermore  is  rising, 
Gladsome,  sacrificial  toll, 

Men  to  joy  enticing. 


29 

IV. 

AMERICA 


As  a  goddess, 
Young  and  joyous ; 
Rich  and  careless, 
Strong  and  glorious. 

As  a  mother, 
Sweet  and  tender, 
In  love's  splendor, 
Giving,  spending, 
Nursing,  tending. 

As  a  priestess, 

Burning, 

Yearning : 

Help,  0  God,  this  world  to  bless! 


30 
FEANCE  EENASCENT 

Only  my  eyes  are  weeping, 

For  my  soul  does  sing. 
And  in  this  dying  body  leaping, 

Is  joy,  vibrant  like  spring. 
Eadiant  in  glorious  effulgence — 

Immanence  of  a  great  dawn — 
She  speaks  in  loving  indulgence, 

And  I  to  the  World-Heart  am  drawn ; 
And  in  hungry  rapture  thrill 

To  the  call  repeated  gently : 
"Answer,  child,  it  is  His  will, 

For  in  joy  God  speaks  to  thee!" 


31 
HEIGHT  AND  DEPTH 

Pinioned  with  joy  we  soar, 

The  earth  above ; 
Glorified  evermore, 

Centered  in  love. 

But  by  men's  woe  we're  torn 

From  heaven  above, 
To  weep  with  them  who  mourn, 

Centered  in  love. 


32 
EVOLUTION 

Men,  like  mobile  whisps  of  straw, 
Are  moved  by  the  breezes '  will ; 

Fearful  they  are  and  held  in  awe, 
By  phantoms,  boding  ill. 

Weakened  by  cares  and  sorrow, 
The  edge  of  their  thought  is  dull ; 

Uncertain  of  the  morrow, 
Their  daily  doom  they  cull. 

Strange,  that  we,  heirs  to  the  promise 
Of  dominion  and  kingdom  and  love, 

Should  take  such  burdens  upon  us, 
Should  not  have  vision  enough. 

To  free  ourselves  from  evil, 

Which  lurks  in  the  depth  of  the  soul, 
And  know  that  beneath  the  upheaval, 

Is  the  truth  that  leavens  the  whole. 

The  only  great  revolution, 
Applies  to  ill-will  the  rod; 

And  in  bond  with  divine  evolution, 
Makes  man  in  the  image  of  God. 


33 
THE  FITFUL  MUSIC 

The  fitful  music  of  the  crowd 
Eises,  sharp  and  loud. 
Who  knows  the  end  of  the  song — 
How  far,  how  long? 

An  orchestra  of  passion  aflame, 
Of  delusion,  anger  and  pain. 
Who  knows  the  end  of  the  song  — 
How  far,  how  long? 

So  does  the  sea  arise, 
Eoaring  fierce  mutinies. 
Who  knows  the  end  of  the  song — 
How  far,  how  long? 

Is  there  a  leader  whose  might, 
Tunes  maddening  chaos  aright, 
Who  knows  the  end  of  the  song — 
How  far,  how  long? 


34 
INSTINCT 

You  are  urging  me  again : 

"  Arouse  and  take  your  share 

Of  life's  fulness!" 

And  I,  half  tempted,  rise, 

And  look  about  me : 

Everywhere  they  are, 

Who  harvest  from  the  earth 

Gold,  fame,  success  in  love — 

Their  horn  of  plenty  is  ever  full 

And  their  lips  are  satiated 

With  the  draft  of  life; 

Their  eyes  strained 

With  discontent  and  hunger. 

And  humbly  I  thank  the  great  Father, 

For  He  does  replenish  my  heart. 


35 

SILENCE  ANSWERS  PEAYER 
AND  QUEST 

The  days  are  throbbing  with  rumors  of  strife. 

Hither  and  thither  men  run 
On  errands  of  death  and  on  errands  of  life ; 

Whose  command  do  they  heed;  whose  com- 
mand do  they  shun? 

The  troubled  face  of  the  earth  is  in  pain. 

Does  she  fathom  her  children's  plight? 
She  cradles  the  weary,  she  cradles  the  slain, 

But  she  knows  not  wrong  nor  right. 

And  the  stars  multitude  serenely  gaze 

On  the  joy  and  the  torture  of  wicked  and 
brave. 

If  they  knew  life's  tortuous  maze, 
Would  they  draw  close  and  save  ? 

Silence  answers  prayer  and  quest. 

The  seasons  ebb  and  flow. 
Comes  spring  with  its  joys  and  winter's  rest, 

The  flowers  bloom  and  the  breezes  blow. 

The  only  clamour  is  in  our  heart, 
Where  the  eternal  judge  does  preside : 

We  have  betrayed — since  love  is  our  part — 
The  Just  One  we  have  defied. 


36 
DEMOCKACY 


One  in  heart  and  one  in  purpose, 

Sons  of  the  vast  I  Am ; 
Eager  to  break  through  the  surface, 

Able  to  stand  as  a  man. 

Free  are  we,  knowing  the  truth 
Stronger  than  lusts  of  flesh ; 

Washed  in  the  blood  of  our  youth, 
Clothed  in  divine  love  afresh. 

The  easiest  way  has  vanished 
Beneath  the  dead  of  the  past ; 

And  with  soul  and  spirit  famished 
We  tread  straight  roads  at  last. 

Hand  in  hand,  as  brothers  well  might, 

Singing  and  jubilant. 
One  body  now,  one  light — 

The  vision  of  the  vast  I  Am. 


37 
FREELY  GIVE 

Freely  give,  for  freely  ye  receive. 

Do  not  treat  your  fellow 

As  though  he  were  a  thief. 

Who  sends  to  the  sun  his  wages, 

Or  thanks  the  birds  for  song? 

Yet,  they  shine  and  sing  through  the  ages. 

Freely  give,  for  freely  ye  receive. 

Give  the  song  of  your  heart 

Or  your  heart  it  will  leave — 

Give  the  gold  from  the  mart, 

Give  the  work  of  your  hand : 

We  may  trust — till  we  can  understand ! 

Freely  give,  for  freely  ye  receive 

Love's  fulness,  which  few  men  dare  conceive, 

Though  ever  the  ebb  and  flow  of  life, 

Eternal,  rising  in  harmony — 

Because  there  is  no  strife 

In  love's  own,  vast  reality. 


38 
THE  USELESS  THINGS 

It  is  useless  to  shun  the  day, 

For  the  night  will  go  and  the  sun  will  stay. 

It  is  useless  to  grudge  and  groan, 

For  we  must  give  before  we  own. 

It  is  useless  to  flatter  and  steal, 

For  our  own  eyes  the  lie  reveal. 

It  is  useless  to  wait  and  tarry, 

For  with  us  always  our  burden  we  carry. 

It  is  useless  to  hate  and  resent, 

For  we  must  love,  or  else  repent. 


39 
RECONSTRUCTION 

Deep  down  in  our  hearts 
Works  the  eternal  cause, 
And  silently  it  welds  together 
Our  destinies. 

We  pick  and  choose 

Like  foolish  children, 

We  tread  the  easiest  way, 

Thinking  to  beat  a  flowery  path  in  life. 

We  deck  ourselves  with  tinsel 

And  wreathe  our  brow 

With  laurels  of  achievement 

And  the  eternal  cause  works  on 

In  our  heart 

And  with  our  heartbeats 

Sings  the  swan  song 

Of  all  we  have  held  dear. 

As  a  death  clock  ticks 

In  the  frustrated  wood, 

That  was  born  a  living  tree 

And  made  into  a  foolish  thing — 

Day  and  night  we  listen,  frightened, 

To  the  dirge — 


Listen  and  try  not  to  hear 

And  magnify  the  sound  with  our  fear 

And  our  bulwarks  fall 

As  if  by  magic ; 

And  our  earthly  strongholds  crumble 

As  if  some  giant  hand 

Had  sport  with  them. 

And  we  begin  to  pray 

To  the  Unknown  Power 

— The  secret  Cause  in  our  heart — 

And  in  despair  surrender  utterly  to  our  God 

And  cry,  enlightened: 

' '  I  can  of  myself  do  nothing, 

Thy  will  be  done,  use  me,  oh  Lord ! ' ' 

And  suddenly  our  faith 

Changes  that  funeral  dirge 

Into  a  hymn  of  love, 

And  in  our  heartbeats 

We  hear  now  the  calling  of  the  Father 

To  His  wayward  child, 

And  our  thoughts  rise  up  to  Him 

And  with  Him  are  at  peace. 


40 
WHAT  IS  THE  MEANING! 


What  is  the  meaning  of  this  little  life, 
Whence  did  I  come,  whither  to  go  ? 

Must  I  grow  strong  through  battle  and  strife, 
Learn  to  be  happy  through  suffering  woe ? 

Was  it  by  a  stupid  call  of  the  blood, 
Through  a  night's  keen,  fateful  revel? 

Did  I  descend  from  pure  heights  and  good, 
Or  rise  from  life's  lower  level? 

Why  am  I  here  for  a  little  while, 
Born  in  anguish  and  living  in  pain? 

Why  is  my  heart  torn  between  love  and  guile 
And  my  soul's  fond  longing  vain? 

Who  did  rear  these  fleshly  walls 

For  me  to  struggle  within? 
With  a  pagan  love  for  the  joy  that  calls 

And  a  flame  in  my  breast  to  purge  me  of  sin? 


Till  the  heart  it  scorches  and  the  flesh  it  sears 
And  melts  the  marrow  of  my  very  bones 

And  makes  my  bosom  a  caldron  of  tears 
And  turns  my  joys  into  stones. 

All  about  me  it  heaps  ashes  and  dust ; 

But  it  burns  and  points  above, 
Until  I  know  by  it's  light,  that  I  must 

Learn  to  feed  that  flame  with  love. 

So  then,  I  fathom  that  flame  to  be  life, 
Since  it  burns  through  the  death  of  the  rest ! 

I  will  to  obey,  and  thus  end  the  strife : 
Love 's  flames  enfolding  me  answer  the  quest. 


V. 

41 
HOME 

A  bird, 

A  flower 

And  laughter ; 

Maybe  a  roof  on  the  rafter, 

Love's  candle  bright  and  stout 

And  kindly  thoughts  about. 


42 
MARRIAGE 

The  enchantment  of  two  lives ; 
Beauty  and  strength, 
Joy  and  pain — 
Surrender  in  conquest, 
Freedom  in  surrender. 


43 
LOVE 

Wonderful  bounty, 
Mine  from  your  hand; 
Ever  does  haunt  me, 
Fill  and  enchant. 
Well  of  deep  sympathy, 
Mountain  of  light, 
Armor  and  strength  to  me, 
Joy  and  delight. 


44 
JOY 


Dancing, 

Prancing, 

All  entrancing, 

Life  enhancing, 

Ever  advancing ; 

Ringing, 

Singing, 

Upward  winging, 

Fragrant, 

Vibrant, 

Toward  the  light. 


45 
LAUGHTER 

Lilting, 

Eippling, 

Beveling  round, 
Only  the  happy  moments  count. 

Sparkling, 

Bubbling, 

Merry  glee : 
Come  now  and  be  happy  with  me. 


46 
SPEING 

Branch  a-twitter, 
Bustling  titter, 
Fairy  glitter ; 
Spring  is  here. 


47 
PEAYEE 


Lisping,  stammering 
Words  of  love ; 
Weeping,  clamoring, 
Hear  us  above ! 


48 
GOD 

Beauty  and  life  to  me, 
Depth  of  love's  sympathy, 
Joy  your  divine  decree, 
Ever  adorable 
Tender  and  kind. 


49 
MANKIND 


Daring  to  serve  and  help, 
Trusting  in  truth  and  love, 
Conquering  in  joy  and  pain, 
Glorying  throughout. 


50 
OUE  DAILY  BBEAD 


Give  us  a  little  beauty, 
Some  joy  mixed  with  our  duty; 
Dry  humor  without  gall 
And  love,  dear  God,  for  all. 


INDEX 


1  Love  Is  Not  But  a  Sum- 
mer's Day 

2  We  Yearn  for  Joy 

3  Song 

4  On  the  Wing  of  My  Desire 

5  The  Gold  Stars  Are  Fad- 
ing 

6  Sunny  Squares 

7  On  the  Wing 

8  The  Silent  Stars 

9  Lullaby 

10  Oh,    For   a  Sweet   Little 
Song! 

11  To  a  Child 

12  To  Mother 

13  Friendship 

14  To  a  Birdman 

15  The  Beggar 

16  The  Woman 

17  Echo 

18  Just  for  Fun 

19  Determination 

20  Volplaning 

21  The  Useless  Warning 

22  The  Island 

23  Nocturne 

24  Messengers 

25  Northern  Autumn 


26  They  Murmur  and  Breathe 
of  Love 

27  Butterflies 

28  Sweet  Peas 

29  America 

30  France  Renascent 

31  Height  and  Depth 

32  Evolution 

33  The  Fitful  Music 

34  Instinct 

35  Silence   Answers   Prayer 
and  Quest 

36  Democracy 

37  Freely  Give 

38  The  Useless  Things 

39  Reconstruction 

40  What  is  the  Meaning? 

41  Home 

42  Marriage 

43  Love 

44  Joy 

45  Laughter 

46  Spring 

47  Prayer 

48  God 

49  Mankind 

50  Our  Daily  Bread 


YB   12029 


